Mumbai, June 5, 2025:-
In a bold move to transform one of India’s busiest highways, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has unveiled plans to widen the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from six lanes to ten. The ₹14,900 crore infrastructure project aims to accommodate the rapidly increasing vehicular traffic between the two megacities and future-proof the corridor.
The expansion — to be implemented via the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model — will cover the entire 96-km stretch from Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai to Kiwale near Pune, excluding the 13-km “Missing Link” section in the Khandala Ghat, which is already being upgraded to a 14-lane high-speed corridor.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway currently carries over 65,000 vehicles daily, with weekend volumes often exceeding 1 lakh. With an annual traffic growth of 5–6%, the current six-lane configuration has become inadequate, leading to frequent traffic snarls, especially during holidays and monsoon travel peaks.
Minimal Land Acquisition Hurdles
A major advantage in the project’s execution lies in the low requirement for land acquisition. MSRDC already owns most of the adjoining land, with only a few small parcels near tunnels and ghat sections needing additional acquisition. This is expected to speed up approvals and groundwork, minimizing disruptions.
Presentation to State Leadership
The detailed expansion blueprint was presented to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent monsoon preparedness meeting. The plan is part of the government’s broader push to enhance intra-state connectivity, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic integration between Maharashtra’s two major commercial hubs.
Once completed, the widened expressway will offer faster, safer, and more seamless travel, potentially reducing the travel time between Mumbai and Pune by up to 30–45 minutes. It’s poised to become one of India’s most ambitious highway upgrades, supporting both logistics and tourism growth.
